Todd Howard Offers Theory On Addressing Starfield: Shattered Space Criticism

Todd Howard Offers Theory On Addressing Starfield: Shattered Space Criticism

Key Takeaways

  • Bethesda’s Todd Howard wonders if the studio should have delayed Starfield’s REV-8 buggy for the Shattered Space expansion.
  • The long-awaited REV-8 release improved planetary exploration.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia when it comes to Bethesda’s latest release, Starfield. The REV-8 buggy was undoubtedly one of the most anticipated features for this game, and its long-awaited arrival in August 2024 was a game-changer for planetary exploration.


Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, shared that Todd Howard from Bethesda ponders if withholding the release of the REV-8 buggy for the “Shattered Space” expansion in Starfield could have been the wisest decision. The REV-8 vehicle offered players a fresh method to explore planet surfaces and was likely the most frequently requested feature following the game’s launch for an extended period.

Approximately one year after eager anticipation, Bethesda unveiled REV-8 for Starfield in August 2024. This marked a significant milestone for the studio, as they had never before introduced a game using their Creation engine that featured player-controlled vehicles. The development of this feature is quite remarkable and has greatly enhanced planetary exploration, leaving many to ponder why it wasn’t initially incorporated into the base game. Interestingly, REV-8 for Starfield was released only a month prior to Shattered Space being introduced as a free update. It was unexpected that the feature wasn’t included with the expansion pack.

Speaking to Game File, Xbox’s Phil Spencer spoke about a conversation he had recently with Bethesda’s Todd Howard. Recalling the conversation with Howard about the reception to Starfield‘s recent Shattered Space DLC, Spencer said, “I think some of the feedback on the expansion is: “We wanted more features.” And he’s like, “Well, should we have waited to put buggies out?”” Spencer went on, “I think you’re trying to tune both development effort and the impact of the expansion. And I think there will always be a balance to managing the game month to month.”

Starfield Could Have Delayed the Buggies for Shattered Space

As a gamer, I’ve been following the buzz around the Shattered Space expansion, and it seems like many gamers are expressing disappointment that it doesn’t stray far enough from the Starfield core gameplay. It feels like more of the same, which is a letdown for those who weren’t fond of the original game to begin with. Delaying REV-8 might have beefed up the expansion’s content, but I doubt it would have swayed public opinion significantly. In my view, Bethesda made a wise decision by offering it as a free update instead of charging for it.

Despite Shattered Space‘s mixed response from fans, Bethesda hasn’t given up on Starfield. Earlier this month, the studio released a big update for Starfield, bringing tons of important fixes to the game. It remains to be seen whether Bethesda plans to release any more expansions for Starfield, remaining tight-lipped on the topic for now. The developer is also at work on The Elder Scrolls 6 at the moment, so it’s unclear whether that will impact any decisions on Starfield‘s future.

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2024-11-16 17:13